KAZHAKOOTTAM: Auto driver who tried to rape the passenger was arrested by police on Wednesday. The auto driver named Ansari who hails from Bheemapally was caught by the special police team headed by DYSP Anil Kumar. Ansari was arrested from his hideout nearby his home. The auto which was hidden somewhere after the incident will be taken to custody, said the police.

The case has been filed against Ansari for provocation, kidnapping, insulting womanhood, snatching the mobile phone and for rape attempt. Ansari is being questioned by the police at Mangalapuram station now.

The incident took place last Sunday night near Thonnaykkal 16th mile highway while the lady was going to a de-addiction centre to stop her husband’s drinking. The autodriver Ansari was her husband’s friend. The husband was there in the auto initially, but got out of it when the auto reached Kazhakoottam. But Ansari convinced the lady that there was a de-addiction centre at Pothencode and her husband’s drinking could be stopped if medicines are bought from there. But when the auto reached Mangalapuram, instead of going to Pothencode Ansari drove the auto to Attingal. This is when he tried to get hold of the lady and when she resisted, he attacked her.

Despite shouting Ansari didn’t stop the auto which forced her to jump out of the auto when it reached 16th mile. Mangalapuram police rushed her to the hospital.